Cleaner. Faster. Better.

Professional sailors Hannah Jenner (GBR) and Rob Windsor are campaigning a Class 40, now training for one of the world’s most prestigious offshore races, the Transat Jacques Vabre from Le Havre, France to Itajai, Brazil (5395 nm), which starts on November 3.

Their program, Team 11th Hour Racing, aims to set the example for a more responsible relationship with energy and water resources in the sport of sailing. Their race preparations will adopt 11 bold solutions to sail Cleaner. Faster. Better. And, to start with, their entire race campaign’s carbon footprint to be offset by Green Mountain Energy.

A pre-race estimate for Team 11th Hour Racing’s carbon footprint was conducted based on emissions associated with team travel (flights to and from Europe), commuting daily to the boat and office and electricity usage (for office and land based computer usage).

The time frame for which Team 11th Hour will offset their footprint is August through December and the calculations take into account all personnel associated with team operations. Based on these data points, Green Mountain Energy estimates Team 11th Hour will emit 6 metric tons of CO2e and will need 10 renewable energy certificates (RECs). The RECs will be used to match electricity consumption in the Newport offices and ensure emissions-free renewable energy. The carbon offsets will zero out the remaining carbon footprint from business travel, commuting, office heating, and waste sent to the landfill.

Listed below are seven additional solutions the pair have adopted:

1. Hydrogenerator. Their use of hydrogenerator will reduce their fuel needs during the race by 25 gallons, which is equal to about 200 pounds.

2. Water Maker & single-use plastic water bottle elimination. They estimate that between the training and race days, their use of reusable containers will have eliminated the usage of 888 plastic water bottles.

3/4. Optimized Nutrition and Ocean Going Farming. By growing microgreens Team 11th Hour Racing will save energy and enjoy fresh produce during the month-long trip. Using the Carbon Fiber Hydroponic Microgreens Box is a major improvement in both nutrition and technological innovation.

5. Waste Reduction. When offshore most sailors toss anything that is biodegradable overboard. This may include aluminum, food scraps, paper, books, glass food containers (i.e. olive jars, pickles, jelly), paper plates, paper towels, baby wipes, magazines & cigarette butts. Hannah and Rob are pledging to not toss anything overboard, fitting what trash they do generate into one 13 gallon bag.

6. Solar Panels. While the primary energy source will be the hydrogenerator, solar panels provide redundancy if the hydrogenerator can’t be used (because the boat may not be moving quickly enough) or breaks.

7. Education Outreach. Team 11th Hour Racing is collaborating with the Rozalia Project to produce six Mission Atlantic: Team 11th Hour Racing Reports. Rozalia Project’s Mission Atlantic program, which focuses on ocean pollution, will engage their 25,000 virtual crew members (students) with online reports that include photos, videos, data, and activities based on the work and experiences of Rozalia Project’s crew and partners.

Details here for each solution: http://team11thhourracing.com/cleaner-faster-better